Adams State College Fahrenheit 451 Project combusts

(02-13-2008)

The Adams State College Fahrenheit 451 project caught fire last semester and combusts this spring with thought-provoking events including a banned film series, a production of scenes from banned plays, an art exhibit, continued reading and discussion, and the opening of the play, "Fahrenheit 451."

"Much of the project's focus this spring is on 1st Amendment issues," Taylor said. "From a film series to a class project in which scenes from banned plays are studied and performed, we are exploring the most fundamental right that we have as Americans - freedom of expression."

An evening of scenes from banned plays, "1st Amendment Theatre," starts at 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22 and 23, in the Adams State Main Stage Theatre. An accumulation of the enrichment class, "Fahrenheit 451" will consist of scenes from plays that have been censored or banned. The scenes are for mature audiences only and are free to the public with no ticket reservations required.

The 1st Amendment film series continues with "Bent," directed by Sean Mathias, at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 1, in the Adams State Main Stage Theatre, sponsored by the Grizzly Activity Board and the Adams State Gay/Straight Alliance.

Based upon Martin Sherman's award-winning stage play, "Bent" is a haunting look at the Nazi persecution of homosexuals in World War II and a powerful testament to the ability of the human spirit to overcome intolerable hatred. Featuring Mick Jagger, Ian MacKellen, Jude Law, and Paul Bettany, the event is free to the public with a discussion to follow the film. Rated NC-17

The KRZA Book Club airs from 5 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sundays; join the discussions on 88.7 FM.

Future events include an Adams State Music Department concert featuring censored music; an art exhibition, "Altered Books", in the Luther Bean Museum featuring local professional artists; and an Adams State Theatre Department stage production of "Fahrenheit 451."

Dr. John Taylor, associate professor of theater, struck the match that quickly engulfed campus and community. From a casual suggestion offered by Dr. Carol Guerrero-Murphy, chair of the English, Theatre, Language, and Communications Department, Taylor wrote a successful National Endowment for the Arts' The Big Read Project grant, and centered his project around the Ray Bradbury book, "Fahrenheit 451."

Highlights of the fall semester include free copies of Fahrenheit 451 distributed throughout the San Luis Valley; Luis Valdez of El Teatro Campesino as the featured speaker at the 24-Hour Big Read kickoff; author Ray Bradbury teleconference; a twenty-two hour long celebration of literature on the Adams State campus and in the Southern Peaks Library; the Banned Book Film Series which featured "Fahrenheit 451," "Like Water for Chocolate," "To Kill a Mockingbird," and "Catch-22;" a provocative Fahrenheit 451 Juried Theme Art Show; an ongoing on-air book club on KRZA Community Radio (88.7 FM); a 1st Amendment Forum that featured faculty, students, and Jim Pfaff, of the Colorado Family Institute; a staged reading of the original script The Novela Project: A Celebration of Oral Storytelling Traditions in the San Luis Valley; Censorship or Protecting Our Youth; and a community forum with featured guest to discuss the removal and reinstatement of "The Golden Compass" from Ortega Middle School.

"This has been exciting year-long project with tremendous support from the SLV community," Taylor said.